My Neuropathy

Now, I would ask when was the last time you had your eyes checked and when was the last time your kidneys were checked.

We all let these things get away from us when we are feeling good.  This is just a reminder.  My doctor made me schedule my eye exam while in his office.  I complied because I had not had it done in 5 years.

Bob (IA)

Peripheral Neuropathy: Pathogenic Mechanisms and Alternative Therapies

this full text paper has some interesting thoughts on Neuropathy.

I'm sure you are already aware of the role of vitamin D3 in helping Peripheral Neuropathy.

there are lots of other good reasons to make sure Vitamin D status is kept high.

There are lots of other suggestions in that article that deserve consideration such as 

The role of alpha-lipoic acid in diabetic polyneuropathy treatment.

Role of acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Are low magnesium levels in type 1 diabetes associated with electromyographical signs of polyneuropathy?

I'd concentrate on those suggestions that appear to provide not only specific benefits for diabetic neuropathy but multiple health benifits generally. For example as we know that low magnesium levels are associated with problems in diabetes ensuring we had optimal magnesium intake  this would be not only a good idea generally but also may be particularly helpful for neuropathy. 

But do take note of the time scales involved. Our body has trillions of cells and the rate of repair/maintenance turnover is slow. With omega 3 - vitamin D3 ect we first have to correct deficiency status, that may take 3months if we use an effective amount, only then will the bodies stores build and the gradual rebuilding of cells to the original DNA specification start and perhaps in 2yrs 50% of the job may be done with the final cells still being converted around 5 years later.

I don't think buying one pot of supplement and then deciding, when you have used it up, that because you cannot see a difference immediately it's probably not doing any good. There is already far too much research online showing using too little of the wrong form of supplement for too short a time is ineffective.

We need to get back to basics and consider what level of Vitamin D, Omega 3 Magnesium etc would most likely have been present in the diet/lifestyle as our DNA evolved and how can we reasonably match those levels nowadays. 

I understand that tall people are more susceptible to PN than shorter people because the nerves have to travel longer distances, so that could be a factor.

That's one advantage of being short.

Hope the headaches clear up soon.

Hi David: You see a podiatrist regularly, right? It appears from the extent of your PN that it should have been diagnosed by your podiatrist quite some time ago. I hope you have a few pointed questions about this apparent oversight to ask him/her @ your next visit.

Make sure you always have adequate lighting so you can see your feet and what is under and immediately in front of your feet to compensate for your loss of proprioceptive information coming in directly from your feet. This means having the path to the bathroom adequately lit @ night and being VERY careful if you end up hiking before dawn or after dusk. (That's when those hiking poles might be helpful.) PN may have been a factor in your recent fall that necessitated the ER visit. When we talk to other people, we tend to look @ them, and this shifts our gaze away from what is around our feet.

My layman understanding is that "autonomic" neuropathy is nerve damage that occurs on the vagus nerve and nerves which extend from it.  The autonomic system is responsible for automatic functions like heart rate, stomach emptying and the like. The other system of nerves is associated with muscles, skin and the like.  When these nerves get damaged there is pain and/or a loss of sensation.  Diabetes can damage both systems.  It sounds like yours is not autonomic.

Greetings David -

Forgive me if this is over simplistic but, you ARE taking in sufficient fluid aren't you?

Cheers - Chloe.

Hi, David--

Other causes for neuropathy you might consider:

Rapid normalization of blood sugar levels after years of being too high can cause neuropathy in and of itself (both peripheral and autonomic).

Also, excess Vitamin B6 can cause peripheral neuropathy.  And it doesn't even take a lot to do so...if you take a "moderate excess" over a long period of time.

And excess Vitamin A can cause headaches, as can excess Vitamin D. 

As a Type II and someone with PN, I now use a very useful scale that allows me to view my feet (magnified and lighted) each time that I weigh myself. I read about it in a newspiece in a British newspaper on Googlenews and was so taken with the concept that I tracked it down over the Net and ordered it immediately.

I've had it for over a month now and it's an excellent product--I've never done as well myself. The scale's called Insight (FocusOnYourFeet.com).

People with PN should check their feet very carefully every night--aside from watching diet, it's perhaps the most important thing to do every day.

 I am not affliated with this company--just a satisfied customer.

Suda in NY

I was diagnosed with type II in 1996.  I had neuropathy in my feet with tingling and stabbling pain.  I read Dr Bernsteins book and took the recommended vitamins.  (Alpha Lipoic Acid, Oil of Primrose and L carnitine)  If you want to try what I did I suggest that you get his book because I might not have remembered the vitamins correctly.  I continued taking these vitamins and after a few months the pain and tingling was gone and has not returned. I do have some mild numbness in my feet and see a foot doc every two months.

I have had diabetic retinopathy and was treated sucessfully for it with soft lazer last year.  I do not know how much the vitamins have helped me as I believe that I still have some neuropathy like you have but no one has ever tested me the way you were.  I am currently taking r-alpha lipoic acid and wonder if it is necessary?  Do you have any thoughts on this?

I am now on a very low carb diet and not taking any medication except Novolog.  I have found that some days I do not need the insulin and hope to eventually be off it.  I went on insulin because I had some mild kidney damage caused by metformin according to my md.  I now wish I had gone on insulin earlier as it is so easy.

I want to thank you for your many thoughtful columns.  They have been very useful to me and I am sure to others.  Bronwyn

David

Sorry to hear about the neuropathy, that must be really annoying. Kudos to the neurologist for finding this out.

I wanted to point out something I'd read on George's (Ninjabetic) blog some time ago. I can't find the post, but he learned that because of his neuropathy he was tying his shoes too tight, and that was likely to increase circulatory problems.

I hope you can find an approach that minimizes problems for you.

Has anyone tried Lyrica for neuropathy?  My neuropathy could be caused from use of prednisone or from chemo (12 years ago) or diabetes.  No one seems to know.  The chemo neuropathy just about went away from after 5 years.  Took prednisone for 4 days and immediately had pain and stinging in hands and feet.

I would be interested in comments.